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Reykjavik attracts many people who’ve visited a lot of European cities and are looking for something a little different.

Iceland in general and Reykjavik in particular are very much on many people’s list of places to visit at the moment. The city is attracting visitors from all over the world and is currently especially popular with the Asian market. During the winter months the chance of seeing the Northern Lights certainly proves to be a great attraction but the country also has a great deal to offer the tourist at other times of year.

Reykjavik is well placed on the coast in the south-west of Iceland, within easy reach of some of the island’s impressive natural wonders. The city itself is well worth exploring. The Hallllgrímskirkja church is Reykjavík’s most notable landmark and its tower can be seen from almost everywhere in the city. The church dates back to 1945 and the architect is said to have been inspired by the fascinating shapes and forms created when lava cools into basalt rock. The Höfði House by the waterfront was built in 1909 and is considered to be one of the most beautiful and historically significant buildings in the Reykjavík area. Its main claim to fame is that it was the setting for the 1986 summit meeting of presidents Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachov, a historical event that effectively marked the end of the Cold War. When in Reykjavik it’s also worth taking time to stroll down the main shopping street, Laugavegur, enjoying a spot of window shopping or perhaps even popping into one of the elegant shops.

Reykjavik is the starting point for the Golden Circle Tour which features a number of Iceland’s main attractions. In this tour you visit historical locations such as Skálholt Church and Þingvellir National Park, where the first Icelandic parliament was held, in addition to beautiful sites such as Gullfoss waterfall and the Geysir Hot Spring area including Strokkur, the incredible geyser which sends a plume of water 30 metres into the air at every few minutes.

The Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa lies a short distance away from Reykjavik. Visitors can relax and swim in the milky coloured warm waters of the Lagoon and wonder at its stunning location, surrounded by dark volcanic rocks.

Even the journey by coach from Keflavik airport to Reykjavik city centre serves as a superb scenic introduction to Iceland, with a landscape of old volcanic rocks all around, conjuring up the feeling that you’ve landed on another planet rather than an island only 2 hours 30 minutes by air from Edinburgh!